MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGAL IN FLORIDA

It is now official. Today, Monday, June 16, 2014, Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed into law the medical marijuana bill, known as the Florida Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014, which legalizes a low dose of marijuana with low levels of THC.

Florida Senate Bill 1030, known as “The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014” provides for the legalization of Medical Marijuana also nicknamed “Charlotte’s Web”, which will allow for a low THC strain of marijuana in Florida. The purpose of Charlotte’s Web and the decriminalization of marijuana is to benefit terminally ill patients, cancer patients and children with seizures. Upon signing the Florida Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014, Bill 1030 is immediately effective.

The signing of the Bill 1030, the Charlotte’s Web bill is not to be confused with Florida’s Amendment 2, which if accepted by voters this upcoming election in Florida, would allow for broader use of marijuana to treat any illness and other medical issues with any strain of marijuana. While Governor Scott opposes such Amendment, it is said that Florida’s Amendment 2 might very well pass.

Florida Bill 1030, the Florida Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014, will limit the amount of medical marijuana dispensaries to five throughout the State – in the territories of northwest Florida, northeast Florida, central Florida, southeast Florida, and southwest Florida. There shall be a requirement that qualified physicians must submit to a 8-hour course and examination to be allowed to prescribe the low dose THC. The first course shall be offered on October 1, 2014. Furthermore, each medical marijuana dispensary shall be required to have a so-called medical director of the medical marijuana dispensary. This medical director shall be required to complete a 2-hour courses and examination.

The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 also requires the five dispensaries to ensure state-wide accessibility and availability as necessary for patients, who are registered with the compassionate use registry and prescribed low dose THC under the Act.

Furthermore, the department shall develop an application form and impose an initial application and biennial renewal fee that is sufficient to cover the costs of administering this section.

If you need a medical marijuana business lawyer who is familiar with the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014, and the requirements to become one of the five dispensing organizations throughout the state, a doctor looking to get the proper credentials to prescribe medical cannabis as allowed by the Act, or a patient looking to find a doctor allowed to prescribe medical marijuana in Florida, please contact our Stuart, Florida or West Palm Beach, Florida offices by visiting Katz & Associates Law Firm Treasure Coast website or contact our Miami, Florida Sunrise, Florida Ft Lauderdale, Florida offices by visiting Katz & Associates South Florida website for legal guidance.